For some it was an eye-opening experience. For others, it was a glimpse into their future as the Oak Crest Institute of Science opened its doors to the community during the Innovate Pasadena CONNECT Weekend open house, Friday, March 14, 2014. More than 50 visitors ranging in age from 8 to 78+ toured the Oak Crest facilities and learned about the cutting-edge environmental and medical research performed there. Many open house guests were middle school, high school and college students who are interested in pursuing a career in science and wanted a first-hand look inside a working chemistry and biotech lab. Others were interested in finding out more about what goes on inside the seemingly plain brick building on Foothill Blvd.
Founded in 1998 by Dr. Marc Baum, Oak Crest has become a successful institute for science research and education by applying entrepreneurial practices in an academic setting. The thriving nonprofit is unique in that it is based on an organizational model that combines high-impact research with hands-on science education for students who do not typically have access to real research experiences.
Guests who participated in the open house began their visit by viewing a series of videos outlining the mission of Oak Crest and the philosophy behind the mentored research and learning opportunities offered to students spanning a broad diversity of educational levels from high school to post graduate.
Highlights of the open house included tours of the institute’s open-planning laboratory, which boasts an impressive analytical facility including several LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) systems and even a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer. Visitors also gained an up-close look at the dedicated facilities for microbiology, tissue culture, molecular biology and laser research.
Throughout the day Senior Faculty including Drs. Marc M. Baum and John A. Moss, along with Research Scientist Manjula Gunawardana, greeted guests and answered questions. Dr. Sherry Tsai, Assistant Faculty and Educational Outreach Director, provided guests with information about various educational opportunities at Oak Crest, including the Summer Research Connection and the Amgen Biotech Experience.
Several Pasadena residents who toured Oak Crest said they had no idea such groundbreaking and significant research was being conducted within their city. Victor Caballero, Pasadena resident and blogger said: “It is inspiring to see what is happening in our city with all the developments in science and technology. Thank you so much for opening up your facility.”
Since its formation, Oak Crest has achieved the following notable accomplishments:
- The development and application of novel techniques for detecting toxic trace pollutants in the air and biological particulates in water, leading to meaningful policy changes and improvement in the quality of life for the general public.
- Groundbreaking advances in drug delivery technology that are urgently needed to overcome inadequate disease treatment and prevention in the developing world. Oak Crest is successfully developing new ways to deliver antiviral drugs that prevent disease transmission, including HIV and herpes simplex virus.
- The design of low-cost, high-performing and customizable advanced instrumentation for environmental monitoring and chemical detection. These detection devices improve how research can be done in the field and how clinical work can be performed in the laboratory.
As an education center, Oak Crest serves as a valuable resource to local K-12 educators, students and schools. Through its outreach programs, Oak Crest enhances science education in the community, working to increase science literacy, engagement, career interest and preparedness among K-12 students serving some 25,000 individuals a year. Free programs that reach local secondary school students and K-12 teachers include:
- The Summer Research Connection offers students and teachers the opportunity to gain hands-on laboratory experience under the mentorship of a research scientist.
- Collaboration with the Amgen Biotech Experience, which helps bring real-world science directly into classrooms by providing biotechnology curriculum and teacher training.
- Summer volunteer opportunities giving high school and undergraduate students the chance to acquire skills and experience by conducting research in the exciting fields of microbiology, molecular biology, and sustained release drug delivery.
Participants in the Innovate Pasadena CONNECT Weekend, including those at the Oak Crest open house, all agreed that the weekend long event was a huge success. “We were very happy to be part of such an outstanding event,” said Dr. Baum. “Members of the community rarely have the opportunity to see inside our lab. The enthusiasm and positive response from all who participated was greatly appreciated. We are excited about what we do and were pleased to have the chance to share our story with the community. We hope the CONNECT Weekend becomes an annual event.”